Why Joan Rivers Chained Herself to Costco Shopping Cart

She says Costco banning her new book is 'the beginning of Nazi Germany'

Comedienne Joan Rivers has pulled some wacky stunts throughout the past several decades, so news that she recently chained herself to a Costco (NASDAQ:COST) shopping cart wasn’t a big shocker.

Don’t get me wrong, it was weird. And it sent tongues wagging, which is exactly what the publicity-savvy Rivers wanted to happen. But the only people truly caught off guard by the mayhem were Costco employees … and maybe the shoppers who weren’t expecting a dose of crazy with their 40-pound box of Kellogg‘s (NYSE:K) Corn Flakes.

Here’s a quick recap of the Rivers-enduced raucous at a Burbank, Calif., Costco:

Rivers, who is miffed that Costco won’t sell her new book, — I Hate Everyone … Starting With Me — showed up at one of the retailer’s Burbank locations, fastened herself to a shopping cart and used a bullhorn to shout at passersby. (Source: Los Angeles Times)

The entertainer reportedly sold copies of her book outside the store before she walked inside and chained herself to the cart. ( Source: The Daily Dish)

Costco summoned the police — another non-shocker — and Rivers was forced to leave the premises. (Source: MSNBC)

Rivers, who brought along her own media entourage to the “event,” compared Costco to Nazi Germany. (Source: Christian Science Monitor)

Rivers reportedly said Costco’s decision to not carry the book (the retailer was turned off by the obscenities printed on the back cover) is a violation of the First Amendment. While she obviously understands her First Amendment rights, Rivers doesn’t seem to think the pendulum swings both ways to apply to retailers that don’t like her book.

Although Costco isn’t carrying Rivers’ latest read, other retailers, like Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) are selling the book. Those interested can even preview a few pages to learn why the comedienne hates “ugly children,” “people who make videos of their children’s births,” “show business,” herself … and everyone else.